Heiðarás

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Heiðarás

Four comfortable summer cottages by lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake, located in the southwest of Iceland close to the national park Þingvellir. Spectacular views over the lake, the encircling mountains and the park itself, which are captivating in either summer or winter. This accommodation option is the only one offered this close to Þingvellir and one that is close enough to Reykjavík for modern comforts, yet far enough to get lost in the elusive spectacle of the northern lights. Open all year. Please note that minimum stay is 2 nights from June to September.

Accommodation

Four separate cottages in total, three of which have two ready-made double/twin bedrooms each. Two of the houses have an extra cot for children. The fourth house has one double bedroom. Each 36 m2 (387 ft2) cottage has a kitchenette. Free Wi-Fi. By road 36 - 300m. east of exit Heiðarás.

Board

Guests prepare and buy their own food. Refreshments are available at the Þingvellir Service Centre, about 6 km (4 mi) away. The centre is open daily all year round.

Service and recreation

A play area is located close to the cottages. It is possible to book driving excursions with specially modified vehicles and explore the highlands north of Þingvellir. Notable trips include an excursion around the lava dome Skjaldbreið, as well as tours to Langjökull glacier. Hosts can provide any additional information required.

At the Þingvellir Visitor’s Centre, close to the Hak viewpoint by Almannagjá, guests can visit a multimedia exhibition about the area’s nature and history (open daily all year round from 9:00 – 17:00). Guests can buy souvenirs and get useful information about the area from staff. There are marked hiking routes in the area and maps are available at the centre.

The service centre sells fishing permits in the summer. Diving is allowed in the fissures Silfra and Davíðsgjá. Please refer to the service centre’s website for additional details. Supermarkets, restaurants and swimming pools can be found in the nearest towns: Mosfellsbær (30 km; 19 mi) or Reykjavík (35 km; 22 mi).

Þingvellir National Park

Þingvellir (Parliament Fields) is a nature reserve and plays a significant role in the lives of Icelanders. The park is furthermore a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Iceland’s parliament, Althing, was founded here around 930 AD and assembled at the fields until 1798. All of the nation’s most significant events have taken place at Þingvellir, such as the adoption of Christianity in the year 1000 and the foundation of the Republic of Iceland in 1944. In addition, Þingvellir is a magical and unique place, spectacular for those who love nature and the outdoors, charming during summer, remarkably colourful during autumn and soft and splendid during winter.

A world-renowned natural phenomenon

Iceland is located where two tectonic plates meet, the Eurasian plate and the North-American plate. Thus, Iceland drifts apart by approximately 2 cm (5 inches) a year. In Þingvellir, this can be seen quite plainly and the resulting appearance of nature reminds us of its power.

Local day-trips

Many interesting day-trips can be taken from the cottages. For example, some of Iceland’s most prized natural jewels are only a short drive away, namely the geothermal area by Geysir (about 65 km / 40 mi away) and Gullfoss (about 72 km/ 45 mi away). Stop by Fontana Spa in the village Laugarvatn (34 km / 21 mi) on your way and refresh body and soul in warm baths and steam baths. The southern route by the west shore of the lake is about 16 km long (10 mi) and goes to the mountain Hengill and the geothermal area at Nesjavellir. There are many interesting hiking routes in the area. Other day-trips include excursions to Hvalfjörður fjord or Borgarfjörður fjord.